Osteoarthritis (degenerative arthritis) Board decisions

The Veteran's degenerative arthritis of the lumbar spine and associated radiculopathy issues have been granted, with a rating of 40 percent effective November 25, 2014. The right lower extremity radiculopathy is rated at 20 percent since that date.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to obtain additional medical records and schedule him for a VA examination to assess the severity of his diabetes mellitus, type II. The left elbow fracture with degenerative arthritis claim will also be remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for a VA examination and further development of evidence.

For the period prior to August 15, 2013, the Veteran's left foot drop with neuropathy associated with osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis status post discectomy with lumbar IVDS was rated at 20 percent.,For the period on or after August 15, 2014, the Veteran's left foot drop with neuropathy associated with osteoarthritis and degenerative spondylosis status post discectomy with lumbar IVDS was not rated higher than 60 percent.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for a Board videoconference or Travel Board hearing at the local RO in St Petersburg, Florida.

The Board has remanded the case due to incomplete service treatment records and inadequate examination opinions. The Veteran's claim for left knee disability is being returned to the AOJ for further development.

The Veteran's osteoarthritis of the left wrist is currently rated at 10 percent, but does not meet the criteria for a higher rating as there is no ankylosis or comparable impairment. The current rating adequately reflects his symptoms and functional limitations.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral hand disabilities were not incurred during or as a result of service, and thus denied his claim for service connection.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right shoulder impingement syndrome is service-connected as it was incurred during a period of active duty for training (ACDUTRA) in May 1995. The left shoulder condition, diagnosed as acromioclavicular joint degenerative osteoarthritis, is also considered service-connected based on direct evidence.

The Board has ordered a remand for the Veteran's claims of service connection for low back disability, bursitis, and cervical spine osteoarthritis. The case will be returned to the AOJ for additional development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for PTSD was denied as there is no credible evidence of a verified in-service stressor. The Veteran's current diagnoses do not meet the criteria for PTSD.

The Veteran's claims for service connection are being remanded due to the need for additional development, including obtaining his service personnel records and any SSA disability benefits information. The AOJ should also request updated VA treatment records.

The Veteran's initial claim for a higher rating for his lumbosacral spine disability was denied prior to March 23, 2009. From that date forward, the claim was also denied.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was rated at 20 percent prior to December 9, 2013 and has been rated at 40 percent since then. The cervical spine disability remains at 20 percent.

The Board found that the Veteran's death was not caused or substantially contributed to by any service-connected disability, as his cause of death was due to chronic edema/venous stasis and immobility from arthritis. The service-connected disabilities did not play a material role in causing his death.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded for further development, including obtaining additional medical records and arranging a VA examination to assess his ability to secure or follow gainful employment due to his service-connected disabilities.

The Veteran's lumbar spine disability was granted a 20 percent rating effective from January 14, 2013. The neurological manifestations of the service-connected lumbar spine disability were also granted a separate compensable rating.

The Veteran's claims for service connection for a respiratory disability and for an increased rating for right knee disability are being remanded due to the inadequacy of the VA examination and the need for additional evidence.

The Board has granted service connection for a left thigh strain, right hip osteoarthritis, and a neck disorder. The Veteran's current conditions are related to his active duty service.

The Veteran's arthritis, including rheumatoid and osteoarthritis, did not have its clinical onset during a period of active service and is not otherwise related to active duty service.,The Veteran's peripheral neuropathy of the bilateral upper extremities, specifically carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), did not have its clinical onset during a period of active service and is not otherwise related to active duty.